Calling all HBO 'Treme' extras!

The only "Treme"-related query I get more than "How do I place my song/script/story idea in David Simon's hands?" is "How do I get work as an extra on the series?"

Skip Bolen/HBOSteve Zahn, Kermit Ruffins and Wendell Pierce in a scene from the "Treme" pilot.Set in post-Katrina New Orleans, the HBO drama -- co-created by Simon ("The Wire") and Eric Overmyer ("Homicide: Life on the Street") -- begins production here Nov. 9 on its first season, to air next year.

The answer to the first question is: Sorry, can't help. Best of luck anyway.

The answer to the extras-work question is more encouraging.

RPM Casting will hold an open call for "Treme" extras from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal St.

Applicants should access the Web site www.rpmcasting.com and download and fill out a "size card, " on which you'll list things like shoe size and car make and model. Bring that to the audition with a photo of yourself, or mail both to RPM Casting, 843 Carondelet Suite 3, New Orleans LA, 70130.

Megan Lewis, casting director for the series, said she's looking for every "type" at the call.

"The show sort of runs the gamut in terms of age and ethnicity, " she said. "Because the city has so many cross-sections of culture, we want to be truthful to New Orleans and reflect that.

"The great thing about casting a show like 'Treme' is, we like characters. We like interesting types."

So say you're an interesting character and get the job. Then what?

The extras cast by RPM will play background characters in scenes shot for the show, though no previous acting experience is necessary for the job.

Work as an extra isn't exactly Hollywood money. Lewis said she didn't know what the pay scale will be, but the job does pay, and meals will be provided. The workday can be long and the work can be tedious.

"There's a saying in Hollywood, it's called 'Hurry up and wait, ' " Lewis said of the production delays that bridge camera-rolling takes of scenes. "A typical day on a set can be anywhere from 10 to 14 hours. You get an initial call time, wardrobe instructions and a map."

But no lines to memorize.

"Extras, by definition, do not have lines, " Lewis said.

However, RPM will also cast speaking parts for the series, which, if it's anything like "The Wire, " will call for tons of minor recurring characters, casting for which will largely come from the local talent pool, Lewis said.

"There's this wealth of characters in each episode, and lot of them do have lines, " Lewis said. "We are casting for those as well."

In addition to the extras casting call, other "Treme"-related activity is ramping up as the production start nears. The series pilot episode was shot in March and April; HBO approved a full first season in May. Two weeks ago, Simon hosted a pre-production gathering of HBO executives -- including a team of publicists, marketing executives and Sue Naegle, the HBO entertainment president who gave the series a green light -- on a tour of local locations he'll use in the series.

The visiting execs were also treated to a second-line parade and a visit with Mardi Gras Indians -- unique-to-New Orleans subcultures in which the "Treme" story is largely set.

In addition to the quicker-than expected May news of the series pickup, there are other signs of HBO's faith in the series -- an admittedly tough sell for that team of publicists and marketers, given its setting and subject matter, neither of which fit existing TV genres, and despite Simon's reputation as one of the era's premiere TV-makers

HBO has announced an April premiere for the series, and that it will likely get "The Pacific" -- a World War II miniseries with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks attached as executive producers -- as its lead-in.

HBO has also approved that the premiere episode can run longer than the hour-long time slot typically granted to its dramas. Some of the first work done when production commences Nov. 9 will be additional scenes for the premiere.

TV columnist Dave Walker appears every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday in the Living section. He can be reached at dwalker@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3429. Comment or read past columns and new blogs at NOLA.com/tv.